Improvement in processes for ornamenting sewing-machines



EFICE.

CHARLES FERDINAND MUELLER, OF HAMILTON, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES FOR ORNAMENTING SEWING-MACHINES, &c.-

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,043, dated August 15, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES FERDINAND MUELLER, of the city of Hamilton, in the county of \Ventworth, in the Province of Ontario, (Janada, have invented a new and useful art for ornam enting sewin g-machines and other articles of manufa cture of wood, metal, glass, &c., with gold, silver, or metal leaf, at a muchless cost of time, labor, and material than by the ordinary method and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The process now in use is performed in the following manner: A coat of isin glass is put on the object to be ornamented, after being polished; then gold or other leaf placed on. When dry, an artist, with a brush dipped in a solution of asphaltum, draws or paints any desired pattern on the object, which is frequently a long and tedious operation. NVhen the asphaltum is dry the goldleaf not covered with it is rubbed off with a wet sponge. hen dry the asphaltum is then quickly rubbed over with cotton-batting soaked in turpentine, which dissolves it and leaves the gold ornament which was covered with asphaltum exposed to view. The operation of removing the asphaltum without destroying the gold-leafunder it is exceedingly difficult to perform, and it is only by the greatest quickness, care, and dexterity, that the operation is successfully performed but even with the utmost caution and attention the gold ornaments are frequently destroyed and the whole work to be done over again, causing great waste of expensive material and loss of time. When the process is successful the gold is fixed with varnish. It will be observed that the above method of ornamenting can only be done by a very experienced artist.

Having described the process of ornamenting machines now in use, I will describe my improved process and show the difference between them: The first part of the operation, that of preparing and polishing the machine or object to be or namented by a wash of isin glass and the laying on of the gold-leaf, is the same as above described. When the leaf is dry a-nd burnished,

prepared thin sheet-metal plates cut in different patterns are laid on the gold-leaf and held firmly, while a small stiff brush,moistened slightly with water or spirit, is applied to the surface of the pattern-plates and the leaf rubbed oif from the open spaces, and the desired ornamental pattern left on the machine or object ornamented. The wash of isinglass is not laid on too strong, but

just of sufficient strength to admit the gold-leaf to be easily removed. \Vhen the operation is completed the gold pattern is fixed in the usual manner, with a coating of varnish. Striping of different widths is done with correctness and facility by using a ruler and drawing along it the sharp edge of a piece of moist felt or chamois of expensive material is wasted. The designs and patterns done by hand with asphaltum are not always correct. A great deal of valuable time is wasted in renewing destroyed work. The most experienced workman will frequently fail in carrying out the process successfully.

The advantages attending my improved process or art are as follows: It does not require an experienced artist. A boy can do it, when shown, as well as the most experienced hand. It saves about fivesixths of the time devoted to the old process. A small sewing-machine can be ornamented by the present process in about two hours; by my improved process the same work can be executed in ten minutes. The immense saving of time and labor is apparent. A full case machine ornamented in the highest style of the old process would take about two or three months to complete it by my process the same work can be done in one day. The varnish dries sufficiently onwood ornamenting in about four days; by the old process it takes about two weeks. About twenty-five per cent. of material is saved. Stripin g can be done much more quickly and accurately than can be done the present Way. Any ornamental pattern can be made, no matter how complicated. It is much cheaper, as no artist is required. The work is not to be destroyed as in the old process.

It may be observed that there is another manner of using the pattern-plates, as follows: Thev object or machine is prepared with isinglass, the plates laid on and the gold-leaf laid over them. On removing the plates the gold-leaf adheres to the machine or object by means of the isinglass. metal leaf, by means of pattern-plates of sheet The ornamenting may be done this way, but it is metal or other suitable material, substantially as,

not so effectual as the other. in the manner, and for the purpose specified.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to Hamilton, Canada, June 23, 1871.

secure by Letters Patent, is- CHAS. F. MUELLER.

The improved art or process of ornameutiug Witnesses:

sewing-machines or other articles of manufacture W. BRUCE,

of wood, metal, or glass, with gold, silver, and V ALTER ATHERTON. 

